India endured a miserable Saturday at the 2026 Hong Kong Sixes, suffering back-to-back defeats against UAE in the final group stage match and then against England by just three runs in the Bowl semi-final. Krunal Pandya's side will now contest the 11th-12th place playoff against Bangladesh on Sunday.

India vs UAE: A Chase India Could Not Stop

In their final Group C encounter, India found themselves in early trouble as UAE's Zahid Ali claimed three early wickets, reducing India to a precarious 14/3. Rahul Tripathi (24) and Krunal Pandya (15 off 8 balls) provided brief resistance, before T Natarajan injected some late momentum with an unbeaten 38 off 14 balls — including three fours and four sixes — to help India post 94/6.

UAE, however, made the chase look straightforward. Captain Khalid Shah was breathtaking, clobbering an unbeaten 52 off 14 balls with six sixes, while Ansh Tandon remained not out on 39 off 12 balls. The two put on 25 off the very first over and completed the chase in just 4.2 overs without losing a wicket. UAE advanced to the Cup semi-finals, while the defeat condemned India to the Bowl phase.

Bowl Semi-Final: England Edge India by Three Runs

India's Bowl semi-final against England proved equally heartbreaking. England set a target of 124/2, powered by Martin Andersson's explosive 51 off 13 balls and Ed Barnard's unbeaten 35 off 14 deliveries. India mounted a spirited response through Rahul Tripathi, who produced a stunning 56 off 14 balls featuring seven sixes, with Krunal Pandya adding a brisk 28 off 7 balls. India, however, fell agonisingly short, finishing on 121 — three runs adrift of the target.

South Africa, Australia and Afghanistan Seal Final Berths

In the other Bowl semi-final, South Africa edged out Bangladesh off the last ball. Habibur Rahman had given Bangladesh a platform with a stunning 60 off 14 balls, highlighted by six consecutive sixes off Blake Simpson in the fourth over — costing 36 runs — as Bangladesh posted 129/4. Jorich van Schalkwyk's 50 off 13 balls kept South Africa's chase alive, while Ayabulela Gqamane struck four sixes in a row off Abu Hider. Van Schalkwyk sealed the win with three sixes and a four in the final over. South Africa will face England in the Bowl final.

The Cup final is set to be a blockbuster between Australia and Afghanistan. Australia dismantled UAE by 53 runs, with Max Bryant (60 off 15 balls) and Nick Hobson (53 off 11 balls) doing the early damage, while Chris Green and Alex Ross took two wickets each. Afghanistan saw off Scotland by 21 runs, with captain Gulbadin Naib leading from the front with an unbeaten 51 off 16 balls. Jack Jarvis made 54 off 17 balls in a losing cause for Scotland.

Plate and Other Semi-Final Results

Earlier, Afghanistan had chased down 121 against Oman in just 5.2 overs. Sediqullah Pacha struck an unbeaten 45 off 10 balls and Farmanullah Safi hit an unbeaten 37 off 11 balls, with Pacha plundering 22 runs off Aamir Kaleem in the fourth over and 30 runs off Shafiq Jan in the fifth. Oman had posted 120/4, anchored by Usman Ali's unbeaten 71 off 17 balls with 10 sixes, before heading into the Plate semis.

Scotland had reached the Cup semis by beating Sri Lanka by 26 runs, with Michael Leask smashing an unbeaten 70 off 15 balls including 10 sixes, and Jasper Davidson taking three wickets in the fourth over. In the Plate semi-finals, Oman chased 93 against Sri Lanka in 4.4 overs, courtesy of Zohaib Amanat (43 not out off 13 balls) and Usman Ali (46 off 14 balls). Pakistan beat hosts Hong Kong, China by six wickets, with captain Abbas Afridi slamming 55 off 13 balls with seven sixes in an opening stand of 90 alongside Khawaja Nafay (34 off 10 balls) to chase down 107. Oman will face Pakistan in the Plate final.

All finals and playoffs are scheduled for Sunday, setting the stage for a packed conclusion to the 2026 Hong Kong Sixes.